State mulls finishing schools for BT grads

To address the issue of shortage of quality professionals in the biotechnology sector, the Vision Group on Biotechnology, government of Karnataka and Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) have decided to launch ‘finishing schools’ in Karnataka. The initiative seeks to make biotechnology students industry-ready.

Under the initiative, a one-year programme has been proposed which will focus on manufacturing, documentation, industry norms and research in the biotechnology sector. The curriculum will be devised by the Vision Group and ABLE. Close to 10 institutes could get the nod to conduct the programme in the first phase which could take place in the second half of the year. Accreditation norms for these institutes are being worked out.

“There has been some concern on why a number of biotech graduates do not find jobs in the sector. The reason is that they are not industry-ready. To tackle this, we decided to look at a programme that biotech institutes in the state can offer to make students employable. We will work on developing the curriculum,” said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairperson of the Vision Group on Biotechnology and CMD of Biocon.

Meanwhile, the Bangalore India Bio, India’s biggest biotechnology event is scheduled from June 2 to June 4, 2010. Over 150 exhibitors, 700 delegates and around 5,000 business visitors are expected to attend the event. It has been planned to coincide with the Global Investors’ Meet where a number of national and international delegations have confirmed their attendance.

A strong international participation is expected at Bangalore India Bio event this year. European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) is bringing a delegation of 30 organisations while Canada is participating with four provinces. Germany is participating with over 15 companies while UK has a 15 member delegation. Exhibitors and delegates are also expected from countries like Italy, Spain, Belgium, Israel, Romania, Australia, New Zealand, Cuba, Singapore and China.

Key topics in the areas of regulatory issues for biopharma industry, bioprocess engineering and biomanufacturing, biocollaborations, clinical research organisations, clinical trials and biomedical technology will be addressed in the event. “We are now looking at promoting the sector in tier II and tier III cities. Five bio-tech parks are being set up - a nutri-nutraceuticals and a phyto-pharmaceuticals park in Mysore, a marine bio-tech park in Mangalore, agri-biotech park in Dharwad and a vivarium park in Bidar,” said Ashok Kumar Manoli, principal secretary to government, department of information technology, biotechnology and science and technology, government of Karnataka.